golfette

We're 1st time Princess Cruisers. Anyone else booked on 10/15 cruise to Mexican Riviera? Also, anyone who's recently sailed on Sapphire Princess - what's the real story on Personal Choice Dining? I have been hearing that they pressure you to take 6 p.m. or 8 p.m. & won't book in between. We have a group of 10. We could sit at 2 tables, but we'd like to eat about 6:45 or thereabouts. I understand the ship is full. Are we going to have a problem trying to eat when we want? If so, what's the point of Personal Choice, cuz' it isn't!

abram

We never had any trouble getting a table whenever we wanted. Sometimes we just showed up, and we never had to wait more than 5 minutes.

Other times we made a reservation, and we were never pressured to take a time we didn't want.

jacketwatch

We just took that ship for an Alaskan cruise. There were 3 of us and we only did the personal choice once but had no issue nor did I hear of any. In fact this is the forst and only time I have heard of this here or other boards. What is the source for this issue? Sounds weird because they are in the hospitality business so a hard sell would be a big turn off. I think you will be fine. Several other times I have read pos. reviews about little or no waiting.

golfette

Thanks all for your info. The source for my question re difficulties with Personal Choice is the Princess Cruise Message Board on cruisecritics.com. This is a heavily-used site & unfortunately the servers are often down so it's hard to get in, but when you do it's a great source of info. There are many posts there regarding difficulties being encountered on Princess ships by passengers with Personal Choice dining option, including being pressured to take certain times, actually BEING forced to take times by 6 or after 8, etc., & other things. Check it out if you're lucky enuf to get through.

travelinwifey

Check out cruisecritic.com, you'll find out a lot of information about large groups and dining on the Sapphire/Diamond ships. They may make a special exception and allow reservations for your group since there are so many. But in general, I have always dined at 5:30 and never had a problem getting in, but I have read where others were frustrated because they did not get in at the time they wanted during peak periods, between 6-8pm. You will be given a pager if no seating is readily availible. I would speak to the Maitre'D upon getting on the ship and then proptly call DINE from the room telephone to try to set up a specific time.